A VIBRANT CEILIDH BAND BASED IN EAST YORKSHIRE

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We played a fantastic Ceilidh for a 50th birthday celebration at the Beverley Barn a delightful new venue just outside Beverley. We can highly recommend it as a suitable place for any kind of celebration. The Dance floor is large and lovely to Ceilidh on. The owners Yasmin and Phil are lovely and the staff are truly awesome!

Golden memories – A rather splendid event last saturday, a fantastic occasion in which family and friends were reunited and a 30th, 70th birthday and a wedding anniversary were celebrated in fine style. We had duelling pipers, a highland fling and some fantastic dances in the lovely Hornsea Parish Hall. If you are planning a party or celebration this summer or autumn ring Quentin on 07877434739 and he will advise you on availability and pricing.

“Just wanted to thank you all for the part you played in making our daughter’s wedding such a special day for us all. So many people commented on how they enjoyed the band” Sue and Gary

“Sorry we took so long to post our sincere thanks to the Hessle Ceilidh Band for making our wedding celebrations all the more memorable. They were fantastic, what an amazing sound. They created an truly magical atmosphere and the bagpipes were the icing on the cake!!!’We didn’t want the ceilidh to end.Everyone commented on what a fantastic time they had.Thanks again folks, we would really urge anyone wanting great music and dancing for their special occasion to HIRE THIS BAND!’ Jayne & Craig

“A super band who came highly recommended and one I will now happily recommend.” Steve & Julie

“We have had lots of messages today from our guests to say how much they enjoyed the evening. Everyone is exhausted and taking today to recover!!!” Frank & Annie

“Our sincere thanks to the Hessle Ceilidh Band for making our wedding celebrations all the more memorable. They were fantastic, what an amazing sound. They created an truly magical atmosphere…” Jo & Ian

“…we would really urge anyone wanting great music and dancing for their special occasion to HIRE THIS BAND!” Douglas & Francesca

“Just wanted to thank you all for the part you played in making our daughter’s wedding such a special day for us all.” Pete & Mary

To book the band call Quentin on 07877434739. or email hessleceilidhband@yahoo.co.uk .

Two amazing Burns Night Ceilidhs and enough Haggis to sink a battle ship! What an amazing weekend! Liz kicked up a storm on the Highland border pipes and the band played with great gusto. Big Thanks to everyone who danced with such enthusiasm and joy! We love playing Burns Night Ceilidhs – to make a booking ring Quentin on 07877434739.

By way of a thank you here is the translation of ‘Tam ‘O’ Shanter

When the peddler people leave the streets,
And thirsty neighbours, neighbours meet;
As market days are wearing late,
And folk begin to take the road home,
While we sit boozing strong ale,
And getting drunk and very happy,
We don’t think of the long Scots miles,
The marshes, waters, steps and stiles,
That lie between us and our home,
Where sits our sulky, sullen dame (wife),
Gathering her brows like a gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath, to keep it warm.

This truth finds honest Tam o’ Shanter,
As he from Ayr one night did canter;
Old Ayr, which never a town surpasses,
For honest men and bonny lasses.

Oh Tam, had you but been so wise,
As to have taken your own wife Kate’s advice!
She told you well you were a waster,
A rambling, blustering, drunken boaster,
That from November until October,
Each market day you were not sober;
During each milling period with the miller,
You sat as long as you had money,
For every horse he put a shoe on,
The blacksmith and you got roaring drunk on;
That at the Lords House, even on Sunday,
You drank with Kirkton Jean till Monday.
She prophesied, that, late or soon,
You would be found deep drowned in Doon,
Or caught by warlocks in the murk,
By Alloway’s old haunted church.

Ah, gentle ladies, it makes me cry,
To think how many counsels sweet,
How much long and wise advice
The husband from the wife despises!

But to our tale :- One market night,
Tam was seated just right,
Next to a fireplace, blazing finely,
With creamy ales, that drank divinely;
And at his elbow, Cobbler Johnny,
His ancient, trusted, thirsty crony;
Tom loved him like a very brother,
They had been drunk for weeks together.
The night drove on with songs and clatter,
And every ale was tasting better;
The landlady and Tam grew gracious,
With secret favours, sweet and precious;
The cobbler told his queerest stories;
The landlord’s laugh was ready chorus:
Outside, the storm might roar and rustle,
Tam did not mind the storm a whistle.

Care, mad to see a man so happy,
Even drowned himself in ale.
As bees fly home with loads of treasure,
The minutes winged their way with pleasure:
Kings may be blessed, but Tam was glorious,
Over all the ills of life victorious.

But pleasures are like poppies spread:
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow fall on the river,
A moment white – then melts forever,
Or like the Aurora Borealis rays,
That move before you can point to their place;
Or like the rainbow’s lovely form,
Vanishing amid the storm.
No man can tether time or tide,
The hour approaches Tom must ride:
That hour, of night’s black arch – the key-stone,
That dreary hour he mounts his beast in
And such a night he takes to the road in
As never a poor sinner had been out in.

The wind blew as if it had blown its last;
The rattling showers rose on the blast;
The speedy gleams the darkness swallowed,
Loud, deep and long the thunder bellowed:
That night, a child might understand,
The Devil had business on his hand.

Well mounted on his grey mare, Meg.
A better never lifted leg,
Tom, raced on through mud and mire,
Despising wind and rain and fire;
Whilst holding fast his good blue bonnet,
While crooning over some old Scots sonnet,
Whilst glowering round with prudent care,
Lest ghosts catch him unaware:
Alloway’s Church was drawing near,
Where ghosts and owls nightly cry.

By this time he was across the ford,
Where in the snow the pedlar got smothered;
And past the birch trees and the huge stone,
Where drunken Charlie broke his neck bone;
And through the thorns, and past the monument,
Where hunters found the murdered child;
And near the thorn, above the well,
Where Mungo’s mother hung herself.
Before him the river Doon pours all his floods;
The doubling storm roars throught the woods;
The lightnings flashes from pole to pole;
Nearer and more near the thunder rolls;
When, glimmering through the groaning trees,
Alloway’s Church seemed in a blaze,
Through every gap , light beams were glancing,
And loud resounded mirth and dancing.

Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn! (whisky)
What dangers you can make us scorn!
With ale, we fear no evil;
With whisky, we’ll face the Devil!
The ales so swam in Tam’s head,
Fair play, he didn’t care a farthing for devils.
But Maggie stood, right sore astonished,
Till, by the heel and hand admonished,
She ventured forward on the light;
And, vow! Tom saw an incredible sight!

Warlocks and witches in a dance:
No cotillion, brand new from France,
But hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys, and reels,
Put life and mettle in their heels.
In a window alcove in the east,
There sat Old Nick, in shape of beast;
A shaggy dog, black, grim, and large,
To give them music was his charge:
He screwed the pipes and made them squeal,
Till roof and rafters all did ring.
Coffins stood round, like open presses,
That showed the dead in their last dresses;
And, by some devilish magic sleight,
Each in its cold hand held a light:
By which heroic Tom was able
To note upon the holy table,
A murderer’s bones, in gibbet-irons;
Two span-long, small, unchristened babies;
A thief just cut from his hanging rope –
With his last gasp his mouth did gape;
Five tomahawks with blood red-rusted;
Five scimitars with murder crusted;
A garter with which a baby had strangled;
A knife a father’s throat had mangled –
Whom his own son of life bereft –
The grey-hairs yet stack to the shaft;
With more o’ horrible and awful,
Which even to name would be unlawful.
Three Lawyers’ tongues, turned inside out,
Sown with lies like a beggar’s cloth –
Three Priests’ hearts, rotten, black as muck
Lay stinking, vile, in every nook.

As Thomas glowered, amazed, and curious,
The mirth and fun grew fast and furious;
The piper loud and louder blew,
The dancers quick and quicker flew,
They reeled, they set, they crossed, they linked,
Till every witch sweated and smelled,
And cast her ragged clothes to the floor,
And danced deftly at it in her underskirts!

Now Tam, O Tam! had these been young girls,
All plump and strapping in their teens!
Their underskirts, instead of greasy flannel,
Been snow-white seventeen hundred linen! –
The trousers of mine, my only pair,
That once were plush, of good blue hair,
I would have given them off my buttocks
For one blink of those pretty girls !

But withered hags, old and droll,
Ugly enough to suckle a foal,
Leaping and flinging on a stick,
Its a wonder it didn’t turn your stomach!

But Tam knew what was what well enough:
There was one winsome, jolly wench,
That night enlisted in the core,
Long after known on Carrick shore
(For many a beast to dead she shot,
And perished many a bonnie boat,
And shook both much corn and barley,
And kept the country-side in fear.)
Her short underskirt, o’ Paisley cloth,
That while a young lass she had worn,
In longitude though very limited,
It was her best, and she was proud. . .
Ah! little knew your reverend grandmother,
That skirt she bought for her little grandaughter,
With two Scots pounds (it was all her riches),
Would ever graced a dance of witches!

But here my tale must stoop and bow,
Such words are far beyond her power;
To sing how Nannie leaped and kicked
(A supple youth she was, and strong);
And how Tom stood like one bewitched,
And thought his very eyes enriched;
Even Satan glowered, and fidgeted full of lust,
And jerked and blew with might and main;
Till first one caper, then another,
Tom lost his reason all together,
And roars out: ‘ Well done, short skirt! ’
And in an instant all was dark;
And scarcely had he Maggie rallied,
When out the hellish legion sallied.

As bees buzz out with angry wrath,
When plundering herds assail their hive;
As a wild hare’s mortal foes,
When, pop! she starts running before their nose;
As eager runs the market-crowd,
When ‘ Catch the thief! ’ resounds aloud:
So Maggie runs, the witches follow,
With many an unearthly scream and holler.

Ah, Tom! Ah, Tom! You will get what’s coming!
In hell they will roast you like a herring!
In vain your Kate awaits your coming !
Kate soon will be a woeful woman!
Now, do your speedy utmost, Meg,
And beat them to the key-stone of the bridge;
There, you may toss your tale at them,
A running stream they dare not cross!
But before the key-stone she could make,
She had to shake a tail at the fiend;
For Nannie, far before the rest,
Hard upon noble Maggie pressed,
And flew at Tam with furious aim;
But little knew she Maggie’s mettle!
One spring brought off her master whole,
But left behind her own grey tail:
The witch caught her by the rump,
And left poor Maggie scarce a stump.

Now, who this tale of truth shall read,
Each man, and mother’s son, take heed:
Whenever to drink you are inclined,
Or short skirts run in your mind,
Think! you may buy joys over dear:
Remember Tam o’ Shanter’s mare.

Ssssshhhh ………..Listen carefully I will say this only once – you are to arrive at 9pm we will give you the secret code number to get in – hide behind the curtains and whilst our guests visit the bar set up your PA and soundcheck in 10 minutes. It is a surprise present for one of our fellow officers at The Wenlock Barracks. Right ho we said and got on with the job…….

Let the fun beging………great dancing from the Wenlock Army Barracks crew!

Planning a wedding celebration, retirement or birthday party at at Willerby Manor Hotel? Why not book the Hessle Ceildh Band?

Hessle Ceilidh Band are based in the East Riding of Yorkshire near Hull. We are a five to ten piece band including a dance caller. We have whistle, fiddles, recorders, melodeon, guitar, bass, piano, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, various percussion and sometimes shawm. Our gigs are vibrant and fun – but not for the faint of heart who don’t like a good old knees up! Look out for our community ceilidhs on the Events Diary page for any public dances.

Whatever the event, be it a Ceilidh or Barn Dance we have a vast amount of music that will create the right feel good factor for your event ranging from Scottish, Irish, European, Medieval and the traditional music of England.

But the band is only half the story – the other half is the caller – the person who shouts the moves out and guides you through the dances – we are really lucky to work with an exceptional caller who is full of energy and can get people up and enjoying themselves in no time – the dances are fantastic and really help to build a party atmosphere.

Our caller knows loads of amazing dances that are really great fun – has also been known to throw in the occasional story and exceptionally funny jokes to give the dancers time to rest and catch their breath.

To contact the band email: hessleceilidhband@yahoo.co.uk or ring Pippa on 7891 590111.

We played for a wedding celebration ceilidh at Bishop Burton College the function room was fantastic – very large with a stage and plenty of room for tables, chairs and dancing. The surrounding tree lined grounds, countryside views and Victorian walled garden really made the venue a joy to play in – the wedding party were of all ages and soon we had them up and dancing our special guest caller Mark Mawby did a fine job.

The Hessle Ceilidh Band are based in the East Riding of Yorkshire near Hull. We are a five to ten piece band including a dance caller. We have whistle, fiddles, recorders, melodeon, guitar, bass, piano, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, various percussion and sometimes shawm. Our gigs are vibrant and fun – but not for the faint of heart who don’t like a good old knees up! Look out for our community ceilidhs on the Events Diary page for any public dances.

Whatever the event, be it a Ceilidh or Barn Dance we have a vast amount of music that will create the right feel good factor for your event ranging from Scottish, Irish, European, Medieval and the traditional music of England.

But the band is only half the story – the other half is the caller – the person who shouts the moves out and guides you through the dances – we are really lucky to work with an exceptional caller who is full of energy and can get people up and enjoying themselves in no time – the dances are fantastic and really help to build a party atmosphere.

Our caller knows loads of amazing dances that are really great fun – has also been known to throw in the occasional story and exceptionally funny jokes to give the dancers time to rest and catch their breath.

To contact the band email: hessleceilidhband@yahoo.co.uk or ring Pippa on 7891 590111.

We had a great Ceilidh at Hessle Town Hall on saturday night – the hall was decked beautifully with lots of bunting and balloons and the dancers though inexperienced were very enthusiastic, the Gay Gordons was a big hit as was the ipod disco at the end of the night. Calling was courtesy of Amanda Lowe who stood in for Steve Haswell our regular caller at very short notice. Steve was involved in a road accident in New Zealand so we send him our best wishes for a swift and complete recovery.

To contact the band email: hessleceilidhband@yahoo.co.uk or ring Pippa on 07891 590111.

Planning a Ceilidh, Wedding celebration, Retirement or Birthday party in East Yorkshire? Why not book the Hessle Ceildh Band?

Hessle Ceilidh Band are based in the East Riding of Yorkshire near Hull. We are a five to ten piece band including a dance caller. We have whistle, fiddles, recorders, melodeon, guitar, bass, piano, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, various percussion and sometimes shawm. Our gigs are vibrant and fun – but not for the faint of heart who don’t like a good old knees up! Look out for our community ceilidhs on the Events Diary page for any public dances.

Whatever the event, be it a Ceilidh or Barn Dance we have a vast amount of music that will create the right feel good factor for your event ranging from Scottish, Irish, European, Medieval and the traditional music of England.

But the band is only half the story – the other half is the caller – the person who shouts the moves out and guides you through the dances – we are really lucky to work with an exceptional caller who is full of energy and can get people up and enjoying themselves in no time – the dances are fantastic and really help to build a party atmosphere.

Our caller knows loads of amazing dances that are really great fun – has also been known to throw in the occasional story and exceptionally funny jokes to give the dancers time to rest and catch their breath.

To contact the band email hessleceilidhband@yahoo.co.uk or ring Pippa on or ring 07891 590111.

Burns Night Public Ceilidh

What people say…

‘Just a quick note to thank you and the band for a fabulous afternoons entertainment on Sunday. Everyone said what a thoroughly great time they had’.

Christine

“They are a great band”
Norma Waterson/Carthy

“Just wanted to say a big thank you to Pip and the Band. We had a great night on Saturday 30th April at Hornsea Bowls Club. The Band was great and everyone said how good it was. Many many thanks, we hope we have a chance to book you all again in the future”

“Huge thank you for my 21st on the 23rd April, you did a great job getting my varied ages of guests up and dancing! Highly recommend you to anyone who is looking for a ceilidh band!”

“The array of instruments was fascinating and the music was brilliant…”

“We all had a great night and I have been asked many times where I found such a good ceilidh band.”

“Many thanks for making our Jubilee celebrations so enjoyable it was a fantastic evening of music and dance. Had some great feedback from people all asking “when can we do it again?”

“A super band who came highly recommended and one I will now happily recommend.”

“We have had lots of messages today from our guests to say how much they enjoyed the evening. Everyone is exhausted and taking today to recover!!!”

“Our sincere thanks to the Hessle Ceilidh Band for making our wedding celebrations all the more memorable. They were fantastic, what an amazing sound. They created an truly magical atmosphere…”

“…we would really urge anyone wanting great music and dancing for their special occasion to HIRE THIS BAND!”

“Please pass my thanks on to the band for a cracking night for my birthday. You all contributed greatly to making happy memories with a lovely atmosphere.”

“Just wanted to thank you all for the part you played in making our daughter’s wedding such a special day for us all.”

“The Burn’s Night evening went really well, thank you – I have had multiple texts and phone calls from people saying how much they enjoyed the night and they are looking forward to the next one.”

“Just a little note to say thank you all so much for last night everyone really enjoyed themselves.
Sorry if there was a lot of waiting around. Thank you for your patience.
Hope you would feel you can play for us again in the future!
Thank you ALL once again!”

“Many thanks to the Hessle Ceilidh Band for helping me and my family / friends celebrate my 30th birthday, my sisters 28th birthday and Richard and my engagement in style. The array of instruments was fascinating and the music was brilliant and so easy to dance to. Thanks to the callers energy and clear instructions, everyone was up and dancing every dance – the videos show everyone smiling and laughing and really having fun. There were a few who were worried about ceilidh dancing beforehand but by the end of the first dance all concerns were gone, mainly thanks to the friendly and infectious enthusiasm of the band … and the very helpful demonstrations!
We all had a great night and I have been asked many times where I found such a good ceilidh band, so I have been pointing them to your website.
Thanks again, and hopefully see you again soon.”
Alison, Lindsey, Jane, Graham, Richard and Mike from Lockington.